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<h1>Shape properties</h1>

<p>The shape properties are part of the <a href="sceneObjectPropertiesDialog.htm">scene object properties </a>dialog, which is located at [Menu bar --&gt; Tools --&gt; Scene object properties]. You can also open the dialog with a double-click on an object icon in the <a href="userInterface.htm#SceneHierarchy">scene hierarchy</a>, or with a click on its <a href="userInterface.htm#toolbars">toolbar</a> button:<br>
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<p align=center><img src="images/objectPropertyToolbarButton.jpg"></p>
<p class=imageLabel>[Scene object properties toolbar button]</p>
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<p>In the scene object properties dialog, click  the <strong>Shape</strong> button to display the shape dialog (the <strong>Shape</strong> button only appears if the last selection is a <a href="shapes.htm">shape</a><a href="lights.htm"></a><a href="cameras.htm"></a><a href="paths.htm"></a>). The dialog displays the settings and parameters of the last selected shape. If more than one shape is selected, then some parameters can be copied from the last selected shape to the other selected shapes (<strong>Apply to selection</strong>-buttons):<br>
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<p align=center><img src="images/shapeProperties1.jpg"></p>
<p class=imageLabel>[Shape dialog]</p>
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<li><strong>Adjust color</strong>: allows editing the colors of the shape.</li>


<li><strong>Shading angle</strong>: the shading angle is the angle from which individual faces are distinguished. This only affects the visual appearance of a shape. A small angle makes a shape appear sharp, with many edges, a large angle makes a shape appear smooth and with less edges.<br>
</li>

<li><strong>Show edges</strong>: displays edges in black. Displayed edges will depend on the specified <strong>angle</strong>. If <strong>Hidden border</strong> is checked, then edges that do not share more than one triangle will be hidden.<br>
</li>

<li><strong>Backface culling</strong>: each triangle composing a shape has an inside and an outside face. When Backface culling is enabled, then inside faces won't be displayed. This is a useful parameter for closed shapes and for shapes that are transparent. <br>
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<li><strong>Invert faces</strong>: this flips all triangles. Inside faces become outside faces and vice-versa. Convex shapes will become non-convex, except for pure shapes.<br>
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<li><strong>Wireframe</strong>: if selected, then the shape will always appear as wireframe when seen through a <a href="cameras.htm">camera</a>. <br>
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<li><strong>Adjust texture</strong>: opens the<a href="textureDialog.htm"> texture dialog</a> for the selected shape. When a shape is associated with a texture, it will be displayed in a textured way.
</li>

<li><strong>Quick textures (selection)</strong>: applies a cubic mapped texture to all selected shapes. This is specially useful with seamless textures used as &quot;dirt&quot;, in order to make objects look more realistic.</li>

<li><strong>Clear textures (selection)</strong>: removes the texture from all selected shapes.</li>

<li><strong>View/modify geometry</strong>: opens the <a href="geometryDialog.htm">shape geometry dialog</a> for the selected shape. It allows to adjust various parameters of the mesh.</li>

<li><strong>Show dynamic properties dialog</strong>: toggles the <a href="shapeDynamicsProperties.htm">shape dynamics properties</a> dialog. The shape dynamics dialog allows to adjust a shape's dynamics properties.</li>

<p>Some of above's parameters are only available for simple shapes. When a compound shape is selected, then you can edit its visual attributes by switching to the shape edit mode for compound shapes. You can of course also ungroup it in order to individually edit its components.</p> 


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<h3 class=recommendedTopics>Recommended topics</h3>
<li><a href="shapes.htm">Shapes</a></li>
<li><a href="shapeDynamicsProperties.htm">Shape dynamics properties</a></li>
<li><a href="textureDialog.htm"> Texture dialog</a></li>
<li><a href="geometryDialog.htm">Geometry dialog</a></li>

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